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Praia de Cacela Velha (Fábrica Mar)

Praia de Cacela Velha (Fábrica Mar)

Vila Real de Santo António

The beach is located at the easternmost end of Cabanas Island, close to Cacela Harbour and you can get to it by boat departing from a place called “Sítio da Fábrica” (“the site of the factory”) in Cacela Velha. This historical town, where you can admire the bright white houses with their traditional cobalt blue decoration, is surrounded by dry orchards on gentle hills all the way down to the estuary. The village grew up around a mediaeval noria and affords a magnificent, lofty view over the Ria Formosa, next to the D. Paio Peres Correia Fortress. After crossing the narrow section of estuary, you will notice a thin strip of sand, deserted and unspoiled, constantly changing due to the shifting sea and winds. Here, in total peace and quiet, you can admire the rich dune flora of this sandy barrier, broken only at the places where the sea stubbornly breaches the natural wall. Countless birds seek refuge in these dunes and you can expect to see species such as the Kentish plover, the ruddy turnstone and the little tern.

More information

Note: In order to preserve the site, you should always cross the dunes on the walkways and paths.
Access by boat is aboard private vessels licensed for the purpose, departing from the “Sítio da Fábrica”, about 1.5 km from Cacela Velha. There is a small organised car parking area at the departure site. There are no support infrastructures and usually no lifeguard on duty during the summer holiday season. Orientation: south-east.
GPS: 37° 9'4.55"N 7°32'56.83"W

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